‘Major, major victory’

MAJOR VICTORY – Cannes International Film Festival is one of three major cinema events in the world, along with Berlin and Venice. Jaclyn Jose’s best actress award for “Ma’ Rosa” is truly a major victory for the Philippines. She deserves all the accolades she’s receiving. Jaclyn won over much bigger names like Isabelle Huppert and Marion Cotillard. Make that “major, major victory.”

The director of “Ma’ Rosa,” Brillante Mendoza, is himself a Cannes awardee years back, best director for “Katayan.”

Come to think of it, Raymond Red’s short film “Anino,” topbilled by Eddie Garcia, won Cannes’ best short film, Palme d’Or.

VENICE – In the ’50s Manuel Conde’s “Genghis Khan” made waves in Venice, picked up by a major Hollywood company for worldwide distribution.

In the ’90s and 2000s Filipino films were shown in Venice, the latest of which is (again) Brillantes Mendoza’s “Thy Womb,” where critics hailed Nora Aunor best actress, with a beautiful trophy to boot.

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BERLIN – In the ’80s, Nora Aunor very nearly won best actress for Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala.” This according to the late Hammy Sotto, who covered the event.

Of course, this year Lav Diaz won Berlinale’s Silver Bear for “Hele,” which lasted for all of eight hours.

In the ’70s Kidlat Tahimik’s “Perfumed Nightmare” (Mababangong Bangungut) won best docu.